The Simplicius Cheong Quartet

Composer and pianist Simplicius Cheong became a professional jazz pianist at 18, playing in various jazz venues in Singapore. A producer of music programmes on radio and television in Singapore and also at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), Cheong has composed a range of works such as his Symphony No 1, three flute sonatas and various chamber works.

In 1965, his first Australian jazz quintet The Baroque Jazz Ensemble recorded a Long Playing Album for EMI (Parlophone PMCO 7531), which was released worldwide. His Movement for 6 Instruments was premiered live over Minnesota public radio in 1982 by the Australian Chamber Ensemble and his recent composition Jazz Movement for Flute & Piano was given its world premiere in London at the Purcell Room.

As an educator, Cheong has conducted courses in jazz, composition and aesthetics in various tertiary institutions, including the University of New South Wales. Turning 80 soon, Cheong now divides his time between music and a daily swim in the ocean near his home in Sydney.

Rit Xu is an internationally recognized flautist, music educator and one of Singapore's most versatile talents who has distinguished himself through his lyrical, thoughtful and emotionally driven performances on the flute. Widely known for his masterful and dexterous ability, he excelled in both jazz and contemporary classical music with elegance and breath-taking virtuosity. As a composer and bandleader, his compositions are known for its artful symmetry, fearless improvisations and a penchant for exploring stylistic boundaries while keeping to an unwavering creative integrity. Xu serves on the faculty at LASALLE College of the Arts, Singapore Raffles Music College as well as ensemble-in-residence at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music.

Singaporean bassist Eugene Chew is a versatile musician that is not bounded by labels. His journey started at the age of 10 when he taught himself the acoustic guitar. His love for bass playing only started when he was asked to stand in to play electric bass in church. From then on, he made the switch and never looked back. He is currently pursuing classical studies in double bass at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music under the tutelage of Mr Guennadi Mouzyka (Singapore Symphony Orchestra) with a full scholarship.

He attended the Esplanade’s Mosaic Jazz Fellow program in 2016 where he had the opportunity to learn from Singapore’s top jazz musicians Chok Kerong, Andrew Lim, Joshua Wan and Tony Makarome which led to a deep love for the artistry and craft of jazz through the years.

Being interested in composition and arrangement as well, he pursued training with composer Felix Phang through an internship and showcased his originals at The Substation in 2015 with a 6-piece jazz ensemble. He furthered his training in a short stint with Australian jazz arranger Matt Amy. He is now leading his band, Litmus Jazz Ensemble, to advocate for original local jazz works.

Apart from being a percussionist of all kinds of music from jazz and classical to Latin and contemporary, Tama Goh is also a producer for major concerts, Singapore television, music festivals and special events. He has performed with the likes of Jeremy Monteiro, Sandy Lam, Francis Yip, FIR, Laura Fygi, Ronald Keating, Chris Brubeck, James Moody, Ernie Watts, Carmen Bradford, Eric Manriental, Eldee Young, Singapore Symphony Orchestra, Singapore Chinese Orchestra and the Singapore Festival Orchestra. In addition to his role as music advisor to Mus’Art Wind Orchestra and Mus’Art Percussion Ensemble, Goh also mentors young artists and aspiring teachers in music performance and visual arts.